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It’s fair to say Mercedes-AMG GLS63 buyers really want it all; good looks, cutting-edge technology, seven-seat practicality, leading safety and V8 performance to name a few key desirables. And, lucky for them, the new model is finally here.
Yep, the latest GLS63 is yet another exercise in excess, leaving very little to be desired by its buyers. Indeed, it ticks almost every box when it comes to a utility vehicle that well and truly puts the sports in Sports Utility Vehicle.
But, of course, this raises questions over whether or not the GLS63 is trying to do too much. And given this model does a whole lot more than its predecessor, these questions need to be answered again. Read on.
The last time I reviewed a plug-in hybrid Volvo I pretty much got death threats. OK, not quite, but my review and video of the XC60 R Design T8 made some readers and viewers very angry and they even called me names, all because I never charged the battery. Well, there’ll be no need for me to flee to a safe house this time, because not only did I charge the XC90 R-Design T8 Recharge I’m reviewing here, but I plugged it in nearly all the time I wasn’t driving it. Happy now?
I say nearly all the time, because during the three-week test of this plug-in hybrid XC 90 we took it away on a family holiday and didn’t have access to power and you’ll most likely face that situation too as an owner.
So how was the fuel economy of this big seven-seat SUV PHEV over hundreds of kilometres and being used as a family workhorse? The result blew me away and I can see why people were so furious with me in the first place.
The GLS63 is an intimidating beast from afar, but it rewards its occupants in almost every way. Yep, there really isn’t a box it doesn’t tick without serious compromise, such is its breadth of capability.
If there was ever a Swiss Army Knife of cars, the GLS63 is definitely a contender for the title, one that makes it very hard to wipe the smile off your face. Just make sure you can fit it in your garage first…
The XC90 Recharge makes a lot of sense for a family with a couple of kids, who live and spend most of their time in the city and surrounding suburbs.
You’ll need access to a power point for charging and you’ll have to do it regularly to get the best out of this SUV, but in return you’ll get effortless and efficient driving, along with the practicality and prestige which comes with any XC90.
If the GLS63 was a Marvel superhero, it would undoubtedly be the Hulk. Simply put, it has road presence like few others. In fact, it’s frankly menacing.
Of course, the GLS is already pretty intimidating due to its sheer size and blocky design, but the GLS63’s full-fat AMG treatment takes it to another level.
Naturally, the GLS63 gets an aggressive body kit, with its purposeful bumpers, side skirts and rear spoiler serving as instant reminders of what you’re dealing with, but it’s AMG’s signature Panamericana grille insert that really hammers home the point.
Around the side, the GLS63’s 22-inch alloy wheels with staggered tyres (front: 275/50, rear: 315/45) make their presence known, positioned below the wheelarch extensions.
That said, some fun’s also had at the rear end, where the GLS63’s diffuser element integrates the foreboding sports exhaust system with quad tailpipes very neatly.
The focused Multibeam LED headlights also look the part, while the opposing LED tail-lights tie everything together outside quite nicely.
Inside, the GLS63 stands out from the GLS crowd with its sports steering wheel with Dinamica microfibre accents, and multi-contour front seats, which are covered in Nappa leather alongside the armrests, dashboard and door shoulders and inserts.
Of note, the doors bins are unfortunately of the hard plastic variety, which is very disappointing in a vehicle that costs this much. You would expect that cow hide would also been applied to them, but alas it isn’t.
The GLS63’s black headliner serves as an obligatory reminder of its sporting intent, and while it makes for a dark cabin, metallic accents are prominent throughout, while the optional trim (our test vehicle had carbon-fibre) mixes things up, alongside the ambient lighting.
And let’s not forget the GLS63 is still loaded with plenty of cutting-edge technology, including a pair of 12.3-inch displays, with one the central touchscreen and the other the digital instrument cluster.
Both are powered by Mercedes’ class-leading MBUX multimedia system and feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support. This set-up arguably remains the best there is today thanks to its speed and breadth of functionality and input methods.
Cars are like dogs in that a year for them ages them more than one for us. So, this current-generation XC90 which came out in 2015 is getting on in age. Still, the XC90 is a design lesson in how to defy the aging process because the styling even now it appears modern and beautiful. It’s also big, tough, and prestigious looking which is how the flagship SUV in a premium brand should be.
The Thunder Grey paint my test car wore (see the images) is an optional hue, and it suited the battleship size and personality of the XC90. The enormous 22-inch five -spoke Black Diamond Cut alloy wheels were standard and filled up those giant arches nicely.
Maybe it’s the minimalist styling which has kept the XC90 looking cutting edge, because even the interior looks like the inside of a very expensive psychiatrist’s office with those leather seats and the brushed aluminium trim.
The vertical display is still impressive even in 2021, and while fully digital instrument clusters are in everything these days the XC90’s has a prestigious look and matches the rest of the cabin in its colours and fonts.
As for the XC90’s dimensions, it’s 4953mm long, 2008mm wide with the mirrors folded and 1776mm tall to the top of its shark fin antenna.
Measuring 5243mm, 2030mm wide and 1782mm tall with a 3135mm wheelbase, the GLS63 is an upper-large SUV in every sense of the term, which means it’s also very practical.
For example, cargo capacity below the load cover is decent, at 355L, but stow the 50/50 power-split-folding third row via the boot and it’s very good, at 890L, or drop the 40/20/40 power-split-folding middle bench, too, and it becomes a cavernous 2400L.
Better yet, the boot’s aperture is almost square, and its floor’s flat, while there’s no load lip to contend with, making loading bulkier items even easier. Up to four tie-down points are also on hand (depending on seating configuration) to secure loose cargo.
Under the false floor is the space-saver spare, which is to be expected, but what isn’t expected necessarily is the fact there’s also enough room there for the cargo cover when it’s not in use, which would be the case if six or more passengers are regularly onboard.
Moving into the power-sliding second row, the GLS63’s practicality is once again brought to the fore, with up to six-plus inches of legroom available behind my 184cm driving position.
There’s also two inches of headroom with the panoramic sunroof in situ, not to mention just enough toe-room. The GLS63’s small transmission tunnel and sheer width also mean three adults can be seated on the middle bench with few complaints.
Amenities-wise, the second row has map pockets on the front-seat backrest and a small fold-down cubby below the rear climate controls, with it containing two slots for smartphones and a pair of strategically placed USB-C ports.
The rear door bins can take one large bottle each, while a fold-down central armrest is also on hand, featuring a shallow tray and retractable (and flimsy) cupholders.
Alternatively, the $2800 Rear Seat Comfort Package fitted to our test vehicle subs in a tablet that can control the multimedia system, a wireless smartphone charger and a small cubby into the former, as well as a heated/cooled cupholder atop the rear of the centre console.
In the third row, it’s not quite as roomy if you’re an adult. With the middle bench in its most accommodating position, my knees still brush up against its backrest, which is to be expected given it’s primarily designed for children. I also have an inch of headroom there.
Nonetheless, getting in and out of the third row is relatively easy as the power-operated middle bench tumbles forward and provides just enough space to make entry and exit somewhat graceful.
When seated, rear occupants are treated to two USB-C ports and one small cupholder each, so they’re arguably taken better care of than those in the middle.
Child seats are well and truly accommodated, with four ISOFIX and five top-tether anchorage points fitted across the second and third rows, although the latter will inevitably prove to be a much tighter fit.
The driver and front passenger are still taken care of, with a front cubby taken up by two heated/cooled cupholders, a wireless smartphone charger, two USB-C ports and a 12V power outlet, while their door bins take one large and one small bottle each.
In-cabin storage options include the large central storage bin, which hides another USB-C port, while the glovebox is on the smaller side, with about a third of it taken up by the fragrance, which is pumped into the cabin to ensure the interior always smells its best.
Clever interior packaging means the XC90 Recharge is more practical than many large SUVs. There are flashes of utilitarian brilliance everywhere from the children’s booster seat which pops out of the centre of the second row (see the images) to the way the XC90 can crouch down like an elephant to make it easier to load stuff into the boot.
The XC90 Recharge is a seven-seater, and like all SUVs with third rows those seats in the very back only offer enough room for kids. The second row is spacious even for me at 191cm tall with plenty of leg- and headroom. Up front as you’d expect has good head-, elbow- and shoulder room.
Cabin storage is good with two cup holders in each row (the third also has containers under the armrests) and there are large door pockets, a decent sized centre console box and a net pocket in the front passenger footwell.
The cargo capacity with all seats being used is 291 litres and with the third row folded flat you’ll have 651 litres of boot space.
Storage for the charging cable could be better. The cable comes in a stylish canvas bag that sits in the boot, but other plug-in hybrids I’ve driven do a better job of providing a storage box for the cable that’s out of the way of your regular cargo.
The gesture control tailgate works with a foot swish under the rear of the car and the proximity key means you can lock and unlock the vehicle by touching the door handle.
The cargo area is filled with hooks for bags and a lift-up divider to hold items in place.
Four-zone climate control, four USB ports (two in the front and two in the second row) dark tinted rear windows and sun blinds top off what is a very practical, family SUV.
My family is small – there’s just three of us – and so the XC90 was more than what we needed. That said, we found a way to fill it with holiday gear, shopping, even a mini trampoline.
Priced from $255,700 plus on-road costs, the GLS63 commands a $34,329 premium over its predecessor, although buyers are arguably getting more bang for their buck than before, even if it does sit well clear of the two other GLS variants: the $147,100 GLS450 and $153,900 GLS400d.
Standard equipment not already mentioned in the GLS63 includes regular metallic paintwork (our test vehicle was finished in Selenite Grey), dusk-sensing lights, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding side mirrors with heating, soft-close doors, roof rails, rear privacy glass and a power-operated tailgate.
Inside, keyless entry and start, augmented reality (AR) satellite navigation with live traffic, digital radio, a 590W Burmester surround-sound system with 13 speakers, a head-up display, a panoramic sunroof, heated seats (including middle outboard) and armrests, cooled front seats with massaging functionality, power-adjustable seats, a power-adjustable steering column, temperature-controlled front cupholders, five-zone climate control, stainless-steel pedals and an auto-dimming rearview mirror feature.
With BMW not offering an X7 M (although the slightly smaller $209,900 X5 M Competition is available) and the $208,500 Audi RS Q8 really from the segment below, the GLS63 does not have a direct rival in the Upper-large SUV segment.
In fact, the $334,700 Bentley Bentayga V8 is actually the model that comes closest to the GLS63 when looking for a seven-seater with a similar level of bent-eight performance.
The XC90 Recharge lists for $114,990 making it the most expensive grade in the XC90 range.
Still, the value is excellent considering the number of features which come standard.
The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster standard, so is the nine-inch vertical centre display for media and climate control, there’s also sat nav, a Bowers and Wilkins 19-speaker stereo, wireless phone-charging, four-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats, proximity key with auto tailgate and LED headlights.
My test car was fitted with options such as the Nappa Leather perforated and ventilated seats in Charcoal ($2950), the Climate pack which adds heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel ($600), power folding headrests in the rear ($275) and Thunder Grey metallic paint ($1900).
Even at a grand total (before on-road costs) of $120,715 I think this is still good value.
The GLS63 is powered by a familiar 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine, with its version producing a thumping 450kW of power at 5750rpm and 850Nm of torque from 2250-5000rpm.
This unit is mated to a nine-speed torque-converter automatic transmission and AMG’s fully variable 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system with torque vectoring and a rear limited-slip differential.
This set-up also features Mercedes’ EQ Boost 48V mild-hybrid system, which actually gives a 16kW/250Nm electric boost in short bursts, such as when accelerating off the line.
Speaking of which, the GLS63 sprints from a standstill to 100km/h in just 4.2 seconds, while its top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h.
The XC90 Recharge (Volvo calls it this, so for simplicity let's do it, too) is an all-wheel drive SUV with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder supercharged and turbo-charged engine, producing 246kW and 440Nm, plus an electric motor which adds 65kW and 240Nm.
Shifting gears is an eight-speed automatic and acceleration is rapid at 5.5 seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint.
All XC90s have a 2400kg braked towing capacity.
The 11.6kWh lithium ion battery is located under the floor in a tunnel which runs down the centre of the car covered by the centre console and hump in the footwell of the second row.
If you didn’t realise, this is the type of hybrid you need to plug into a power source to charge the batteries. A power point is fine but a wall unit is faster. If you don’t plug in, the battery will only get tiny whiff of charge from the regenerative braking and that won’t be enough to put a tiny dent in your fuel consumption.
The GLS63’s fuel consumption on the combined-cycle test (ADR 81/02) is 13.0L per 100km, while its carbon dioxide emissions are 296 grams per km. All things considered, both claims are unsurprisingly high.
In our real-world testing, we averaged a fearsome 18.5L/100km over 65km of driving, split between highways and country roads, so not your usual mix. A very heavy right foot definitely influenced that result, but don’t expect to do too much better in a normal run.
For reference, the GLS63’s 90L fuel tank can be filled up with 98RON petrol at a minimum.
Volvo says that after a combination of urban and open roads the XC 90 Recharge should use 2.1L/100km. That’s incredible - we’re talking about a five-metre long, 2.2-tonne, seven-seat SUV here.
In my testing the fuel economy varied greatly depending on how and where I drove the XC90.
There was a week where I only drove up to 15km a day doing the day care drop-offs, the shopping, popping into work in the CBD, but all within 10km of my home. With 35km of electric range I found that I only had to charge the XC90 every second day to keep it topped up to full and, according to the trip computer, after 55km of travel I was using 1.9L/100km.
I recharged using the outdoor power point in my driveway and using this method would take just less than five hours to fully charge the battery from empty. A wall unit or fast charger will top the battery up much quicker.
The charging cable is long at more than 3m, and the flap on the XC90 is located on the front left wheel guard.
If you don’t have a way of charging the XC90 regularly then fuel consumption will go up, obviously.
This happened when our family took a break down the coast and the holiday house we stayed at didn’t have a power point within reach. So, while we had been charging the car regularly in the week beforehand with a few long trips thrown in on motorways, for the four days we were away I didn’t plug it in at all.
After 598.4km I filled it back to full at the petrol pump with 46.13 litres of premium unleaded. That comes to 7.7L/100km, which is still great fuel economy given that the last 200km would have been without charging.
The lesson is the XC90 Recharge is most fuel efficient on short suburban and city trips with daily or every second-day charging.
A larger capacity battery would add more range and make this plug-in hybrid SUV better suited to people who live further out of the city and do more motorway miles.
Frankly, the GLS63 has absolutely no right being as capable as it is. It’s a really big bus that’s legitimately convinced it’s a sports car half its size.
Being a GLS variant, the GLS63 has independent suspension consisting of four-link front and multi-link rear axles with air springs and adaptive dampers, but its party trick is the addition of active anti-roll bars.
In what feels like magic, the GLS63 is simply not intimidated by corners, despite having massive dimensions and a considerable 2555kg (kerb weight) to deal with.
The active anti-roll bars make the GLS63 so much easier to drive fast through the twisty stuff, almost eliminating body roll, taking one key variable out of the equation for the driver. Active engine mounts are also fitted, helping to settle things even further.
The electric power steering on hand is also good. It is speed-sensitive and has a variable ratio, which basically makes the set-up more direct when it needs to be. It’s typically light in hand, too, until one of the sportier drive modes is engaged and extra heft is added.
So, handling is scarcely believable, which means the ride must be compromised, right? Yes and no. With the adaptive dampers in their softest setting, the GLS63 is very compliant. In fact, we’d say it feels luxurious when compared to other high-performance SUVs.
That said, our test vehicle was fitted with the optional 23-inch alloy wheels ($3900), which look the part but expose sharp edges and other road imperfections, not to mention generate noise easily heard inside. Naturally, feedback is exacerbated in the sportier drive modes.
Anyway, there’s more performance, and the GLS63 has the rest in spades. Its engine is a powerhouse in every sense of the word. It’s so powerful, in fact, that it hilariously hunkers down off the line or when suddenly accelerating at low speed.
Thanks to the mild-hybrid system, wads of torque is available from the get-go, making for a highly responsive driving experience, even in those rare moments when the engine isn’t on song.
While not as characterful as some of the other members in the 63 series, the GLS63 still makes some thoroughly entertaining noises, with its sports exhaust system popping like mad while on the overrun.
All of this ability is very well and good, but you need to be able to pull up quickly, and the high-performance braking package (400mm front and 370mm rear discs with six-piston fixed callipers and single-pot floating stoppers respectively) mercifully does exactly that.
We put more than 700km on the clock of the XC90 Recharge during the three weeks it stayed with my family, covering a lot of motorway miles, country roads and a stack of urban usage, too.
Now without sounding like one of the haters who hated on me the last time I test-drove a Volvo hybrid, you will need to charge the XC90 Recharge all the time if you want to get not only the best fuel economy, but also the best performance from the SUV, too.
There’s the extra oomph from the motor, when you have enough charge in the ‘tank’ but also the serene and smooth pleasure of driving in electric mode on city and urban trips.
That tranquil electric driving experience feels kind of at odds with a large SUV at first, but having now tested a few big family plug-in hybrids and EVs I can tell you it’s a more enjoyable one.
Movement is not only smooth, but the electric grunt provides a feeling of control with an instant response which I found reassuring in traffic and at intersections.
The transition from electric motor to petrol engine is almost seamless. Volvo and Toyota are only a couple of the few brands which seemed to have achieved this.
The XC90 is large and that presented a challenge when trying to pilot it into my narrow driveaway and in car parks, but light, accurate steering and excellent visibility with large windows and cameras galore helped there.
The auto parking feature works well even on the higgledy-piggledy streets in my neighbourhood.
Topping off an effortless driving experience is air suspension which provides a cushioned and composed ride, with great body control all while wearing those 22-inch wheels and low-profile rubber.
Neither ANCAP nor its European counterpart, Euro NCAP, have awarded the GLS range a safety rating, but it’s fair to assume it would perform well in testing.
Advanced driver-assist systems in the GLS63 extend to autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep and steering assist (including emergency), adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, driver attention alert, high-beam assist, tyre pressure monitoring, hill-descent control, hill-start assist, park assist, surround-view cameras and front and rear parking sensors.
Other standard safety equipment includes nine airbags (dual front, front-side, curtain and rear-side plus driver’s knee), anti-skid brakes (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and the usual electronic stability and traction control systems. Yep, it doesn’t leave much to be desired on the safety front.
Volvo has for decades been a pioneer of safety systems to such an extreme that people used to make fun of the brand for being overly cautious. Well, take it from this helicopter parent: there’s no such thing as being overly cautious! Besides, these days all car brands are striving to offer advanced safety systems which the XC90 has had for years. Yep, safety is cool now. Which makes Volvo the Kanye of car brands.
Coming standard on the XC90 Recharge is AEB which works at city speeds to brake for pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles and even large animals.
There’s also lane keeping assistance, blind spot warning, cross traffic alert with braking (front and rear).
Steering support provides assistance during at evasive manoeuvre at speeds between 50 and 100km/h.
Curtain airbags cover all three rows and for child seats there are two ISOFIX mounts and three top tether anchor points in the second row. Note, there are no mounts or points for child seats in the third row.
A space-saver spare is under the boot floor.
The XC90 was given the maximum five-star ANCAP rating when it tested in 2015.
As with all Mercedes-AMG models, the GLS63 comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, which currently sets the standard for the premium market. It also comes with five years of roadside assistance.
The GLS63’s service intervals are relatively long, at every 12 months or 20,000km (whichever comes first). Better yet, it’s available with a five-year/100,000km capped-price servicing plan, but it costs $4450.
The XC90 is covered by a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty. Two service plans are offered: three years for $1500 and five years for $2500.